What part of nervous system is not working when people are Paralyzed?

Answer 1

People can become paralyzed after spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injuries are caused when delicate spinal cord tissue is bruised, torn, or crushed. Spinal cord injuries can be caused by accidents, but can also be caused by diseases or disorders.

As many as 400,000 Americans are living with spinal cord injuries. Most spinal cord injuries occur between the ages of 16 and 30, and about 82 percent of those who experience spinal cord injuries are male. Motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 44 percent of all spinal cord injuries. Other common causes include: • Acts of violence, including those that cause knife and gunshot wounds

• Slips and falls

• Sports-related injuries, mostly diving accidents

• Trampoline accidents Results of Spinal Cord InjuryAfter the spinal cord has been injured, messages no longer flow through the damaged area, essentially cutting off information between the brain and certain parts of the body. Generally, the functions of the body located above the point of injury will continue to work with no loss of function, while the areas of the body located below the point of injury will be impaired. Impairment can include the following: • Motor deficit

• Sensory deficit

• Breathing difficulty

• Bowel and/or bladder dysfunction